Labour is bracing for “unrest” as there could be major teaching and NHS strikes as it has been recommended millions of public sector workers should be given a 4% pay rise.
The Times reported that public sector pay review bodies have recommended NHS workers should receive a 3% pay rise, teachers should receive up to 4%.
Labour may except the recommendations, but it may not be enough to prevent strike action as there are people “who haven’t had a lot given to them in recent years.”
A NHS source said, “This will go down really badly.
“These are people who haven’t had a lot given to them in recent years and we know that nurses are gingering up for some kind of industrial action, unions are very upset and it is going to be unrest all over again.”
Care Minister Stephen Kinnock then said on Monday, “We’re all about putting more money into the pockets of working people, but we do also have to ensure that we are balancing the books, and we’ve got to work in terms of public sector pay within fiscal constraints.
So, of course, we will give these recommendations careful consideration.
“But I would, of course, also urge our colleagues in the trade union movement to engage constructively with us and recognise the reality of the financial position.
UNISON head of health Helga Pile said, “Health workers’ water, energy and council tax bills have all gone up this month, yet the pay rise they’re due is nowhere to be seen.
“This is a government that wants to restore decision-making in the NHS to ministers rather than rely on arms-length organisations. That must apply to NHS pay too.
“The pay review body process operates at arms-length and is painfully slow and unaccountable. As a result, this year’s pay rise for NHS staff is already a couple of weeks late.
“Finally ministers have some recommendations from the pay review body to consider. The health secretary should avoid the mistakes of his predecessors. Sitting on the report will only make matters worse.
“Scottish health workers already earn more than their colleagues in the rest of the UK and they could be set for a wage boost before everyone else too. That’s bound to raise questions about whether ministers in Westminster have got their priorities right.
“The fact that health workers are having to consider what action they would be prepared to take on pay should be a wake-up call for the government.
“The NHS needs staff to help it back onto its feet and reduce waits for patients. With so much at stake ministers need to show they value the workforce.
“That starts with ensuring a decent pay rise and getting on with the talks they promised last summer to fix long-running problems with the NHS pay structure.
“It’s time the Westminster government pulled out all the stops on NHS pay.”
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